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Los Angeles County reopens; 56% of residents fully vaccinated
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confi rmed 6 new deaths and 210 new cases of COVID-19. Of the six new deaths reported today, three people that passed away were over the age of 80, one person who died was between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health identifi ed 1,246,619 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,416 deaths. There are 218 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 20% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 6,910,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive.
At the peak of the pandemic the County was losing 277 residents a day. Hospitals were under enormous strain, with more than 8,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 and there were more than 15,000 new cases diagnosed each day.
L.A. County is in a better place than any other metro area of similar size in the entire nation. Each day, on average, only 1.5 cases per 100,000 people are diagnosed in L.A. County, compared with 2.8 cases in the same population in the New York City metro area, 2.9 cases in Chicago, 3.5 cases in Atlanta, 5.3 cases in Houston, and 9.1 cases in Miami. Only 0.4% of COVID-19 tests in L.A. County are positive, compared with 0.8% in New York, 1.3% in Chicago, 1.7% in Atlanta, 3.3% in Houston, and 3.7% in Miami.
Over the past six months, the tremendous eff ort to get the vaccine into the arms of residents has gotten the County to a place where as of June 11, more than 5,490,637 (66%) of eligible L.A. County residents have received one dose of the vaccine and 4,668,783 (56%) are fully vaccinated.
“I know so many of us will forever grieve the family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors we’ve lost. We share in your heartbreak, and we know that the path to recovery will be a very diffi cult one for so many,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “After 16 months of enormous upheaval and loss, we can now move forward with a genuine sense of hope. We can and should feel joy while recognizing and honoring the immense collective eff ort that brought us to the point where we can fully reopen,” Ferrer said.
“We remain committed to protecting your health and to closing gaps in health outcomes associated with COVID-19. Case counts and transmission are low because of our shared eff orts to implement a layered approach to preventing transmission,” she added. “As we reopen, we are mindful that for those not yet vaccinated, protection is highly dependent on our continued actions to take care of each other. Sensible protections for our essential workforce will be instrumental in keeping transmission of COVID-19 in check.” At press time, workplaces remain under the current Cal/OSHA standards which continue to require distancing and masking for all employees. The Cal/OSHA standards board may vote on proposed modifi cations to the current standards on Thursday.
California ... (From page 1)
this summer as he picked the 10 lucky Californians to receive $1.5 million each – for a total of $15 million – as part of the fi nal cash prize drawing in the state’s Vax for the Win program.
Newsom said the restrictions that have been in place over the past year are lifted, including physical distancing, capacity limits, county tier systems and masks in almost all settings for vaccinated Californians.
In taking early action to address the pandemic head-on, Governor Newsom said he protected B both Californians and the state’s economy, resulting in some of the best health and economic outcomes of any state in the country, namely:
California is forecasted to outpace the country’s economic recovery, ranked as the No. 1 U.S. economy for “expanding GDP, raising household income, investing in innovation,” and more.
California is creating more jobs than any other state for three months in a row, adding 385,000 jobs; in April alone, California created 38 percent of the nation’s jobs.
The state consistently has amongst the lowest case rates and transmission rates in the nation, and hospitalizations dipped to the lowest point since March 2020.
More than 40 million vaccinations have been administered in California, surpassing the next closest state by 16 million, with over 70 percent of adults having at least one shot.
“Today, we celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of Californians – from our heroic health care workers to essential workers across the board to everyday Californians from all walks of life – who have supported each other through hardship and heartache over the past year, making sacrifi ces to save countless lives and enable us to turn the page on this pandemic,” said Governor Newsom.
“As we look ahead to better days, we will continue to look out for one another, redoubling our support to those hit hardest by the pandemic and making unprecedented investments to address California’s most persistent challenges, so that the entire state comes roaring back together,” he added.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM ushers in state’s reopening at Universal Studiosand holds $15 million Vax for the Win grand prize drawing.
The Governor was joined at Universal Studios by two of the 30 $50,000 winners –Aurelia, of Los Angeles County and Reyna, of Orange County – who received their checks and expressed thanks for the prize.
“I am deeply grateful for this prize and proud to have done my part to protect my community from COVID-19 – bringing the state one step closer to this incredible moment,” said Aurelia. “I encourage others to get vaccinated to
help keep us on track to putting this pandemic behind us for good.” Helen Cordova, a registered nurse in Los Angeles who became the fi rst person to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in California last December, assisted with the grand prize drawing. Under Vax for the Win, California was one of the only states in the country to achieve a week-over-week increase in the rate of vaccinations, the governor said in a statement sent to Philippine News Today. “Most recently we saw a 22 percent increase in vaccinations, including an increase in rates amongst hard-to-reach communities,” he said. Since launching Vax for the Win, more than 3 million vaccine doses have been reported, including over 924,221 Californians newly starting their vaccination process, and the state has seen the largest number of fi rst doses adminT:9.75" istered in communities hit hardest by the pandemic.
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SET YOUR THERMOSTAT TO 78º OR HIGHER BETWEEN 4-9PM. That’s when demand is highest and less clean energy is available. Shift your energy use to keep polluti on down and California shining bright. Learn more at PowerDown4to9.org
Education advocate...
(From page 1)
tify as Filipinos, thousands of whom reside in her home base, District 18 of the State Assembly. The district boasted the lone FilAm in the State Legislature, until April.
To a politically woke sector of the Filipino American community, identity is key to the June 29 special elections for District 18. The winner will succeed Attorney General Rob Bonta, a FilAm who has broken the race barrier twice in Sacramento. Soon after the Legislature confi rmed his nomination for AG by Governor Newsom, he named his choice for successor: Mia Bonta, his wife and fellow social justice advocate.
Mia (short for Milalisa Tania nee Villafañe) Bonta is President of the Alameda Unifi ed School District Board. Her election in 2018 seemed almost predictable considering her two decades of community service focusing on the education of children from low income families. She heads Oakland Promise, which her campaign describes as a “cradle-to-college and career preparation initiative across Oakland public schools.” That dedication drove her to seek remedies for the gaps she found in state processes, “from education to the criminal justice system to health care and housing,” that she said “often fail to provide those they’re intended to serve.”
She led the school board in confronting the challenges wrought by the pandemic on the district’s 10,000 student population with “safe but swift reopening” as top priority. She frankly describes as a “struggle” the “changing and confl icting public health guidance coming from the state and federal governments.”
“‘I had to make toughest decisions of my life during Covid, balancing the many confl icting interests, changing guidelines, with the very visceral, heartfelt and desperate needs of parents, students, and teachers, and the need to ensure we gave our students some semblance of school and learning opportunities,” she told Inquirer.net. Her sights were set fi rmly through “an equity lens on not just the loudest voices in the room but those who would be more impacted by our decision.”
She takes pride in the results of those decisions, counting the current state of the district her top accomplishment in her third term as board president.
SHARED JOURNEY
That fortitude is something she shares with her husband, who has similar beginnings.
Like Rob who had toddled along with his parents while they organized for unionization of California farm workers, Mia describes her parents as “activists who had emigrated from Puerto Rico to New York City - not a traditional immigration experience but still born out of US colonialism.”
“I was raised by a single mother, who dedicated her life to provide workforce training and opportunities to thousands of Black, Latino and API members of our community, who took on a lifelong fi ght for economic justice through work,” relates the woman whose second name honors Argentine revolutionary Tania Bunke.
ALLICE Kumares & Kumpares Alliance for Community Empowerment in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General, Asian American Recovery Services/ Healthright 360 Asian American Recovery Services/ Healthright 360 and Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services invite you to our
13thAnnual
A virtual gathering on caring for elders and building healthier families Tuesday, June 29, 2021 | 5:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. PDT
To register: https://tinyurl.com/mcrpusxh
■ Information on family resource providers ■ Prizes will be given out for activities after the program
SPEAKERS Hon. Neil Ferrer, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Hon. David J. Canepa, President, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors SPECIAL PRESENTATION “9 Acts of Kindness to Empower Older Adults” Ms. Tessie Madrinan, Coordinator, Peninsula Family Service Filipino Senior Peer Counseling Program PLEDGE to be an ALLY to Older Adults
RECOGNITION OF GRAND AGERS 9 Individuals who celebrate their long life with engagement DONOR ALLIES Philippine News Today, Inquirer.net, Positively Filipino, Philippine Consulate General, Asian American Recovery Services, Marin County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Our Lady of Mercy Legion of Mary, Ed and Lydia Pomposo, Kaiser Permanente Filipino Association RESOURCE PROVIDERS Adult Protective Services – San Francisco, Aging and Disability Resource Centers of San Francisco, Always Best Care – Peninsula, Asian American Recovery Services, Catholic Charities Adult Day Services, Chajinel Home Care Services, Colma City Police Dept., Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers Assoc., Grace United Methodist Church, Healthy Aging Response Team, HICAP of San Mateo, Holy Child and St. Martin Episcopal Church, Ombudsman Services of San Mateo, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, Peninsula Family Service – Senior Peer Counseling/Got Wheels!, Pilipino Senior Resource Center San Francisco, San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services, SMC Commission on Aging, SMC Pride Center, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Self-Help for the Elderly, South San Francisco Fire Dept., SSF Parks and Recreation Dept., SSF Police Dept.
Her upbringing formed her mission to emulate and reciprocate her mother’s “sacrifi ce” by applying for fi nancial aid and working “up to four jobs” to be welcomed to Yale, where she met her life partner and public service collaborator, then Harvard Graduate School of Education and back to Yale for law school.
“I have dedicated my life - through nonprofi t service and working in education and for children and youth - to disrupt the school to prison pipeline and ensure Black, Latino and API and children experiencing poverty could be more assured that their schools had an education, health supports, mental health supports and career technical education and pathway programs,” said the mother to three schoolchildren.
That’s impressive, observers note, but Filipino Americans need the voice off ered by Alameda Vice Mayor Malia Vella, who they stress is the only FilAm contender for the District 18 seat.
“We have nothing against Mia Bonta but we need a Filipino American to represent us,” community leader Marily Mondejar spelled the common assertion of FilAm politicos at a recent virtual rally of her San Francisco-based Filipino American Community Forum.
Candidate Bonta fully agrees that representation is important and believes she is able to provide a striking alternative.
FILAM SUPPORT
“I am a Black Latina, daughter of activists, and the mother of three Filipino children,” she emphasizes. “I have a strong affi nity for, and responsibility for allyship with the Filipino community.” Among her formidable endorsers she names PALAD Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats which has given her its “sole endorsement” and therefore a step toward “promoting political empowerment and increasing civic engagement and participation in the Filipino American community.”
She knows the FilAm struggle for a seat at the table, recognizes the “resilience and unity of Filipino Americans in the face of challenges and discrimination they have experienced for generations…as social justice warriors and as a community that has added to our cultural diversity.”
Mia acknowledges the signifi cance of identity in her husband’s success and says she shares his eff orts to groom more FilAm prospective lawmakers.
“Rob was the very fi rst Filipino American elected to the California State Legislature, and I know the community has been so proud of his accomplishment as a legislator...and (that he) will continue to inspire as California’s fi rst Filipino American Attorney General,” she acknowledged, expressing confi dence that “he will not be the last.”
“I am running as an ally to the Filipino American community, and if elected I will continue to support and uplift FilAm candidates across the state, and in particular, the next several legislative cycles as sitting legislators term out in 2024 and beyond.”
She decided to run for offi ce now because “for too long, our East Bay communities have been locked out of equal opportunities, and I’m running to ensure Californians of all backgrounds get a fair shot.”
If she wins she would address school reopening, educational equity and homelessness/aff ordable housing and the issues that intersect these.
“We have to address homelessness head on by focusing on the root causes of the crisis, expanding mental health services, increasing non-congregate access and transitional housing,” she said, pledging to
Healthy Father’s Day treat Leonora Cruz recommends organic caulifl ower for a delicious and nutri� ous Father’s Day treat. Ground caulifl ower makes low-carb subs� tute for fried rice, tor� lla, pizza crust or gnocchi. Add your favorite low-salt, low-fat protein and enjoy many more Father’s Days, says the San Jose-based real estate pro who helps her husband Roger Cruz at their family’s Ibarra Organic Farms stall Saturdays at Serramonte Farmers Market when their son Ron takes a break.
seek funding for local programs including “wraparound services it takes to lift our unhoused neighbors out of poverty.”
“As someone who faced housing insecurity as a child, I understand the urgency of keeping families in their homes and protecting tenants,” said Bonta, who moved 16 times in 13 years. “I will also support programs that assist fi rst time home buyers so they have access to loans and other resources to make homeownership a reality.”
She hass elected FilAms in her camp: El Cerrito Mayor Protem Gabriel Quinto, Daly City Council Member Ray Buenaventura, and retired Cerritos City Council Member Mark Pulido. Unions have rallied behind her, including the California Teachers Association, CA School Employees Association, Equality California, and CA Firefi ghters Association.
US Senator Alex Padilla, US Rep. Barbara Lee, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and Oakland City Council Member Noel Gallo have endorsed her.
Unsurprisingly, Mia Bonta is the frontrunner in the fi eld, polling fi rst and reportedly raising the most funds.
Someone who sets a high standard for representation and advocates for Filipino empowerment is all in for Bonta and not because of their relationship.
“We cannot aff ord to be nationalistic in these times of international solidarity across the wide range of justice issues,” Cynthia Arnaldo Bonta, Mia’s mother-in-law who had nurtured Rob Bonta’s passion and sensibilities, told Inquirer.net. “This the time for an international world view in every single issue, be it racial, social, economic or environmental.”
The founder of Philippine National Day Association, a pioneer FilAm organization, aired caution. “Let’s be careful with identity politics. Progressive values that lift the marginalized and vulnerable members of our local and global community should come fi rst.” - Adapted from original reprinted with permission from Inquirer.net
Chinese-American making name for himself in LA County government service
Edward ‘Eddie” Yen puts public service fi rst; commitment to excellence moves him forward
LOS ANGELES - After nearly a decade of exemplary performance in local government, Edward “Eddie” Yen has attained a level of signifi cant importance in the labyrinth known as Los Angeles County governance.
Yen, 46, has recently been promoted to be the Assistant Executive Offi cer at the Executive Offi ce (EO) that oversees the administration of the Board of Supervisors.
“I am honored and humbled by this new opportunity,” Yen recently said during an interview. “I have long considered public service to be one of the highest callings a person can have and working for Los Angeles County has always been about providing just that, quality public service.”
The Executive Offi ce (EO) manages technology, staffi ng, procurement and facilities, as well as the publication of information for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, various County departments and the public. The offi ce also oversees the Offi ce of Inspector General and other County commissions such as the Sheriff ’s Civilian Oversight Commission, Offi ce of Child Protection, Commission on Disabilities, and the County Equity Oversight Panel. Yen serves as one
Upside...
(From Page 11)
“We must continue to care not just for their physical health but also for their mental and behavioral health. That’s why partners such as ALLICE are so important, because they are dug into our community and hear the stories of struggle, especially during COVID, that the broader community does not hear. Without the advocacy of ALLICE, many older FilAms wouldn’t be heard at all.”
As a special presentation, community leader Tessie Madrinan, who coordinates Peninsula Family Service’s Filipino Senior Peer Counseling Program, will discuss the 9 Acts of Kindness to Empower Older Adults. To culminate the event, 9 individuals will be recognized for modeling longevity with engagement. The ALLICE Pledge to be an Ally to Older Adults will be recited.
For more information and to register, visit www.allicekumares.com. Offl ine
(From Page 13)
And what of that other political dynasty up north?
Whatever dreams Bongbong Marcos had of ever becoming president are now over, thank God. The former senator is no longer considered a viable candidate for president next year, or any other year for that matter.
At best, he can try and get back to the Senate, and his chances of making it range from fair to good.
Once upon a time, Digong Duterte wanted to do whatever was needed to have Marcos assume the vice presidency, after which he would resign to make way for a second President Marcos. He was hoping that the Supreme Court acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal would vote to declare Marcos as the true winner and not Robredo in the 2016 VP race.
Too bad for him that the Supreme Court refused to play along with the insane plan.
Incidentally, the fi nal nail on the coffi n which is Digong’s plan to run for VP may have come from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The leader of a Davao-based cult endorsed Gibo Teodoro’s big to succeed Robredo as vice president.
Like it or not, Rodrigo Duterte had better prepare for his eventual retirement, while fi nding a way to avoid arrest by the International Criminal Court.
Since he is no longer of sound mind, perhaps he can apply to join the New People’s Army, which he had supported in the past. Or he can spend his fi nal years in Beijing. Who cares? Diliman way
(From Page 12) of three AEOs. Yen will oversee Technology, Planning, Legislation, the Assessment Appeals Board and Operations. This includes overseeing the Board operations during Tuesday meetings open to the public.
Before joining government service, Yen was a practicing attorney after graduating from the University of Southern California and then Loyola Law School. He fi rst came into County service by way of the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Offi ce where he served as a Deputy County Counsel in 2005. He then moved into the Assessor’s Offi ce as its general counsel in 2016 before being promoted to director of operations in charge of legal services, exemptions, assessment appeals and public service just three years later.
“Eddie will be sorely missed here in the Assessor’s Offi ce,’ said Assessor Jeff Prang. “His abilities are immeasurable and I have relied on his expertise more times than not. I am happy for his promotion but he will be very diffi cult to replace.”
Mr. Yen has advised numerous County departments in areas including information technology, public housing, contracts, public records act and procurement. He
Immigrant’s story... (From Page 13)
ing the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their fi nest hour.” Health & Wealth (From Page 12)
parking in our driveway and street parking spaces. 6. VERY FLEXIBLE APPOINTMENTS - We off er very fl exible appointments for old and new clients during and after regular offi ce hours and weekends. For those who can’t come to our home-offi ce, we can do notarization at offi ces, residences, schools, restaurants, hospitals, BART lobby and other locations. 7. PEACE OF MIND – There is peace of mind for old and new clients with the unique, effi cient and complete services at MSS. With my years of experience and as accredited and commissioned Notary Public in California since 1981, the very bad experience of Nerissa and her co-principals will not happen with us.
For immediate help and assistance in the notarization and apostle follow up of Affi davits, Special Power of Attorney, DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE and other documents needed in the Philippines and the other member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention, just write or contact: MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email:agmadlaing@hotmail.
NIECE GRADUATES AS CLASS VALEDICTORIAN: My beloved wife and I were blessed to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner last Saturday, June 12, 2021 in San Jose, California to celebrate the graduation of our niece Mercyllena Talon Madlaing and her cousin Emmanuel Tomboc Talon at the Luther Burbank School. Mercyllena, the daughter of my youngest brother Salvador Gabot Madlaing and his wife Ursula Talon Madlaing, graduated as the 2021 Class Valedictorian.
The celebration was attended by my 102-year-old mother Elena Sampayan Gabot Madlaing and several uncles, aunties, cousins and classmates of the two graduates. Congratulations Mercyllena and Emmanuel! (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE#00635976) in California since 1981. He is the founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY). Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.)
CARSON, California – The California Statewide Community Development Authority (CSCDA) has issued more than $65 billion in bonds for over 1,700 public benefi t fi nancings, including creating or preserving Workforce Housing for middle-income families. The City of Carson is taking advantage of this program to attract employers who provide medium and high-wage jobs and to help Carson’s middle-income professionals fi nd aff ordable luxury housing in the City.
In the current Southern California rental market, even middle-income families and professionals have diffi culty affording rent and other necessities such as food, clothing, and medical care, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rents and home prices have soared, with rents often consuming up to 50% of a family’s income. There was also shift to more people working from home and employers wanting to relocate to communities with home prices accessible to their workforce.
To help address the problem of aff ordability in the Southern California housing market, Standard Communities has partnered with the City of Carson and CSCDA to bring broader aff ordability to the Union South Bay Apartments.
“This eff ort to preserve housing for local professionals aligns with my COVID-19 recovery plan to attract middle-income employers and the jobs they create.” Mayor Lula DavisHolmes said, “Our children should be able to work, live and play in the communities they grew up in!”
Under a state program, the rent levels for these units will be set at 35% of household income at 80% to 120% Area Median Income (AMI) levels making the units accessible to working professionals.
In addition, the rent levels will be annually capped and will always stay within this range of incomes for approximately 35 years. Under the regulatory agreement, rent growth is directly tied to income growth, with increases to exceed 4% annually.
Located at 615 East Carson Street in Carson, the Union South Bay Apartments were completed in 2020 and is comprised of two fi ve-story buildings on an approximately fi ve-acre site. Its 357 units feature premium fi nishes and a host of work-from-home lifestyle amenities include a fi tness center, rooftop deck, and a resort-style swimming pool. In addition to the apartment units and amenities, the mixed-use community features over 28,000 square feet of commercial space.
also has represented clients in Health Services, Mental Health, Public Health, Housing Authority, Executive Offi ce, Regional Planning, Public Works, Internal Services and the CEO.
Mr. Yen also is the president of the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association (LACAAEA). LACAAEA’s vision and mission is to advocate for Asian American employees and for the AAPI community for equitable treatment. “I’m so happy to have this opportunity to serve the Board of Supervisors, but more importantly to serve the citizens of Los Angeles County,” Yen said during a recent interview. “I look forward to apply my experience as a director for the Offi ce of the Assessor where Assessor Prang focused on providing eff ective public service, using up- to-date technology, and creating new career pathways for underrepresented employees.”
Mr. Yen lives in San Marino, California where he also graduated from high school. His wife, Michelle, kids Scarlett and Caleb, and dog Amour have enjoyed returning to San Marino. And yes, his kids’ initials spell S-C. Fight On!
Carson capitalizes on state’s $65 B housing program
870 million vaccine doses committed thru COVAX; global covid infection exceeds 175 million
GENEVA - At the close of this year’s G7 Leaders’ summit, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced a donation of an additional 870 million vaccine doses from attendees, with the majority to be delivered through COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID 19 Tools Accelerator, within the next year.
Attendees included heads of G7 Member States plus Australia, India, South Africa and Republic of Korea, as invited as guests.
Meanwhile ,the number of confi rmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection worldwide has surpassed 175 million, increasing by more than 387,000 over the past 24 hours.
According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO) , the number of fatalities has increased by more than 10,100 over 24 hours, surpassing 3.79 million.
As of 16:01 Moscow time on June 13, WHO received reports of 175,306,598 infections and 3,792,777 fatalities.
The number of infections over 24 hours has increased by 387,209 while the fatalities rose by 10,158.
The WHO statistics takes into account only offi cially confi rmed data on incidence and fatalities submitted by the states. The mark of 150 million infections worldwide was surpassed on April 30. Thus, over less than a month and a half over 25 million people were infected.
Over 48 percent of the infections reported to the WHO during the past 24 hours were in North and South America (187,256), followed by Asia (97,990), with Europe (42,288) in the third place.
According to the WHO, the majority of the infections were recorded in the US, 33,120,623, followed by India (29,439,989), Brazil (17,296,118), France (5,632,993), Turkey (5,325,435), Russia (5,208,687), the UK (4,558,498), Italy (4,243,482), Argentina (4,093,090), Spain (3,729,458), Germany (3,714,969), and Colombia (2,694,707
G-7 leaders confi rmed their support for all pillars of the ACT-Accelerator across treatments, tests and strengthening public health systems as well as vaccines.
Additionally, they indicated their intention to work together with the private sector, the G20 and other countries to increase their vaccine contribution over the months to come. Since their G7 Early Leaders’ Summit in February 2021, the G7 has committed one billion doses in total.
WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, spoke to leaders at their meeting and urged “many other countries are now facing a surge in cases – and they are facing it without vaccines. We are in the race of our lives, but it’s not a fair race, and most countries have barely left the starting line. We welcome the generous announcements about donations of vaccines and thank leaders. But we need more, and we need them faster”.
Over US$ 16 billion is still needed this year to fully fund the work of ACT-Accelerator, the global partnership of leading international health organizations which is mid-way through its 2020-21 funding need.
In additional to vital vaccine research and development and procurement work, ACT-Accelerator needs funds to strengthen health systems and protect health workers administering the tools needed to end the pandemic; tests to detect and contain hotspots, as well as identify new variants that will continue to appear; and treatments to save the lives of those who will continue to catch COVID-19 and suff er.
There is an urgent need for treatments like oxygen which is seeing a surge in demand that is 5 times – and in cases such as India, 10 times – greater than the need before the pandemic.
The funding needed for the ACT-Accelerator will address challenges delivering products where they are most needed, help establish testing for 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries by mid-2021 and help secure the necessary supply of oxygen.
PHILIP S. CHUA
Does diabetes aff ect sexual function?
Yes. In men, diabetes mellitus can cause a varying degree of erectile dysfunction (inability to attain or sustain erection satisfactory for intercourse) as the diabetes progresses. Most of the time, however, the exaggerated and unfair condemnation of diabetes as causing severe erectile Heart of Hope dysfunction leads to a psychological deterrent and a self-fulfi lling prophecy in most men. Many welladjusted and well-treated diabetics enjoy sex without problems. In women, loss of vaginal lubrication is a major sexual eff ect of diabetes.
Is this condition the same as impotence?
No, this was a scientifi c “error,” a harsh diagnosis overkill in the past. Erectile dysfunction has since then been considered a distinct and remediable medical entity and has replaced the term impotence, in this particular context. Impotence is now relegated to its proper “domain” where the male (himself) is unable to cause pregnancy. This clearer defi nition is more medically accurate and has given more hope and psychological relief to the millions affl icted by erectile dysfunction, which today has great treatment success rate.
How common is erectile dysfunction?
It is very common. While impotence (accurately diagnosed) aff ects very few men, erectile dysfunction aff ects an estimated 10 to 20 million men aged 19 and older in the United States. The prevalence is 52% in men aged 40 to 70 and increases with age. However, today, men---and women---can enjoy sexual activity throughout life, with proper care and strategy. Erectile dysfunction is not inevitable with aging, even into the 70s and 80s. With proper medical counseling and aids like Viagra, etc., most males and females can enjoy sex at any age.
What are the other complications of diabetes?
Diabetes has a lot of potential complications. Among them are the eff ects on the small arteries and big arteries in the body, causing blockages in the circulation, leading to damages (poor supply of blood, oxygen and nutrition) to the various organs of the body:
Diabetes and sex
the eyes (retinopathy that results in blindness), kidneys (nephropathy resulting in kidney failure), legs (resulting in leg an feet ulcers, gangrene and amputation), nerves (neuropathy that causes numbness and pains in the feet), and cellular immunity (weakens the immune system leading to infections). This is the reason why all diabetic patients must be under the care of a physician and why the blood sugar must be well-controlled at all times.
What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is rare in diabetic men until their mid-30s. Erectile dysfunction is very common in the general male population, especially in these stressful modern times. Contributing to cause this condition are psychologic factors (severe anxiety, fear of intimacy, fear of unwanted pregnancy, sexual guilt, depression), drugs (most medications for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, psychotropic drugs, CNS depressants-tanquilizers, etc. do aff ect erection), arteriosclerosis/vascular (blocking arteries that supply blood to the male organ), and, rarely, biogenic (associated with low testosterone levels and refl ecting disorders of the hyphothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis).
Does alcohol aff ect erection?
Alcohol defi nitely aff ects erection, either in diabetics or non-diabetics. While the fi rst shot of alcohol may cause a little euphoria and a sense of well-being in most persons, and therefore, perhaps helps in improving the sexual climate, the second and subsequent drinks will impair erection in most men, depending on their tolerance to alcohol. As Shakespeare wrote “Alcohol increases the desire but diminishes the performance.”
What is the treatment for these side-eff ects?
Making the correct diagnosis is very important, since the treatment depends on the cause. Once the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is confi rmed, Viagra is the current drug of choice. Erection is achieved about one hour to one hour and a half following ingestion of the pill, which comes in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. Persons on nitroglycerine (medications for coronary heart disease) are strictly warned against taking Viagra, the combination of which could cause intractable shock and death. Viagra, if taken properly under a physician’s supervision, is a safe and very eff ective wonder drug. It is essential that the diabetes is well-controlled at all times for this to work. Quitting smoking, exercising at least 3 times a day, and a conducive environment, will help tremendously in improving sexual performance.
If Viagra does not help, what next?
Viagra helps alleviate erectile dysfunction in about 90% of diabetics and more in non-diabetics. Other assistance may come from sex therapy, other medications (penile erection suppository; yohimbine, which is still controversial; prostaglandin E1), vacuum constricting devices, male hormone testosterone, which is rarely needed, and which increases the chances of cancer of the prostate; and, surgery (aorto-iliac procedures for blocked arteries in the pelvis that partly supply the male organ, and implantation of penile shaft prosthesis, but this keeps penis rigid at all times and not too comfortable. With the advent of Viagra, most of these “other aids” have been relegated to the background and used only in dire cases that do not respond to the drug.
How about in diabetic women?
Among diabetic women, the major sexual sideeff ect is loss of the natural vaginal lubrication, which makes sexual encounters most uncomfortable and even painful. Master and Johnson, pioneering sex researchers in the 1960s, stressed the importance of vaginal lubrication during the initial sexual arousal in women and throughout the sex act. With proper vaginal lubrication, proper “ambiance,” and well-controlled blood sugar (and other medical conditions, if any), diabetic women can enjoy pleasurable sex at any age.
What are the other causes of vaginal dryness?
Other causes of loss in vaginal lubrication are: stress or psychological factors, undesired partner, drugs (Tricyclic Antidepressants, like Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil, Sinequan, birthcontrol pills, antihistamines, cold formulas, etc), alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. Other conditions include jet lag from travel across time zones, excessively prolonged foreplay or lovemaking, pregnancy and childbirth. Those who have this lubrication problem do not have to be disheartened. The condition is easily solved. There are now a lot of commercially available (no prescription needed) sexual lubricants. This can be applied before sex.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK
The True Neighbor
THE FATHER’S EYES
By TIM PEDROSA
The best way to give advice to our children is to fi nd out what they want and then advise them to do it. We need to give them wings, encourage them to strive and learn to fl y their own. The greatest gift we could give our children is to believe in them. Here’s a touching story of a teenager who lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn’t want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he’d get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a “walk-on.” Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice fi eld shortly before the big play-off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, “My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?” The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off , son. And don’t even plan to come back to the game on Saturday.” Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. “Coach, please let me play. I’ve just got to play today,” said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and fi nally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. “All right,” he said. “You can go in.”Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you’ve never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, “Kid, I can’t believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?” He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?” The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, “Dad came to all my games, but today was the fi rst time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!”
In Luke 10: 25-37, the Lord gave the parable of the Good Samaritan after He was asked by a scholar of the law; who is my neighbor? We Afl ame The Heartare familiar with this parable, how this Samaritan went out of his way to care for a Jew who fell victim to robbers. The story is told with intriguing and controversial information in order to make a point and impact to the Jewish listeners, and to our time. Jews and Samaritans avoid each other, as not to say, they hate each other. The Lord Jesus made the Samaritan the protagonist in the story to underline the love and concern the Samaritan showed. Our Lord underlines the will and action to love; for love goes beyond boundaries of race, culture, or color. One who loves, sees only the opportunity to love the other whoever the other may be. The Samaritan did everything for the sake of love, love without boundaries, without conditions, without selecting whom to love. Jesus ended by saying: “Go and do likewise.” Our life comes from God and He remains to be the owner of our lives. If we are to be identifi ed to our Creator, we are to live our life in love since He is Love. Because of sin, our life was separated from Him, but out of His great love for us we are reconciled back to Him and become partakers of His divine life. Since, we live in this new life in Christ, our life cannot be but a life of love. The neighbor is everyone, whoever is next to you and me at the present moment. In our faith, the neighbor is Jesus Christ. Recognizing Him in others makes us able to love sincerely and freely. Our faith teaches us to see God in the other and the other will also see God in us. Our striving to love the neighbor becomes the visible proof of our love for God. Meanwhile, take a closer look at the question “who is my neighbor?” The idea of neighbor that comes immediately to our mind is the person or persons around us. Our faith teaches us to care and be compassionate, kind and loving, toward whoever the neighbor is. The idea of neighbor is in the passive mood, the receiver of the action. What the scholar of the law intended and what the people of their time thought was that, the neighbor would supposedly be of their own kind only; thus, Jesus corrected them and their mentality. Jesus wants His listeners to love unconditionally, to help whomever is in need regardless of any racial or social status. Whoever is needing love or needing help should be helped and loved; for, ultimately, the neighbor is Jesus Himself. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus wants us to understand that the neighbor is also the doer of the action. The neighbor as the active agent is the giver and doer; he is not at the receiving end. The neighbor is you and I who are given the opportunity to do the good act, to give the help, to care, to be kind and compassionate. This fl ows from what love is about, love is always active, it outpours; the more it gives away itself the more it grows and fl ows. There is no emptying of love; for love endures and never fails. Of course, we want to be loved, but before it happens, we want to be willing to love. Love takes always the initiative. God who is love, loved us fi rst, by doing so, He enabled us to love. The experience of being loved by God sets us in motion to love and be loved. That is why, Jesus’ question after the narration of the parable is very revealing: “who among these three who was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” And the scholar of the law answered, “the one who treated him with mercy or kindness.” Jesus said, “go and do likewise.” They agreed that the neighbor is the one who did the act of love and mercy, the doer of the action. In love, we cannot wait to be told, we just have to do it. In love, we cannot just talk about it, but rather live and act on it. We have to be true neighbors to each other; meaning, we are to be courageous to make initiatives of doing good deeds out of love. Unless we put ourselves at the forefront of action with our Lord Jesus in the work of love; then, we will always be passive, the mentality of being the receiver not the doer, the taker not the giver. May the Lord Jesus make us always ready to love; for we cannot miss out any occasion to love. Lord Jesus, You are the Good Samaritan, make us courageous to be good Samaritan today. Amen. REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD
Recipe of the Week
Corned Beef Sopas
Ingredients:
3 c. macaroni 200 g. corned beef 4 jumbo hotdog, sliced crosswise 1 c. mixed vegetables 1/2 head garlic, minced 1 medium size onion, chopped 1/4 c. patis 1/4 c. evaporated milk salt and pepper cooking oil
Cooking procedure:
In a big pot bring to a boil 10 to 12 cups of water add in the macaroni and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until soft and tender add more water if necessary. In a separate pan sauté garlic, and onion, add in hotdog and corned beef stir cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add patis stir cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add sautéed hotdog and corned beef to the simmering macaroni soup and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes. Add vegetables and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the evaporated milk and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
Paddlers sail for 5 days in Cebu waters, whale sharks greet expedition in Oslob
Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce
CEBU CITY – The “Paddle Forward Cebu” expedition is now halfway through a fi ve-day sail journey around the southern part of Cebu, marking a major feat to push paddling as a new tourism draw to the island.
The group of padding enthusiasts successfully reached Oslob, where they were greeted by the whale sharks, a famous tourist attraction in the southern town, PNA’s Carlo Lorenciana reported.
Renowned Cebuano photographer Ted Madamba snapped a picture of the Paddle Forward Cebu expedition arriving in Oslob, off ering a breathtaking sight of the whale sharks surrounding the six-man canoe of nonprofi t group Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club.
The group is expected to complete their fi ve-day, 200-kilometer padding expedition at the Club Serena Resort in the neighboring southwestern town of Moalboal.
Thirteen paddlers have undertaken the journey which started in Cebu City’s Il Corso at the South Road Properties on June 12.
In an earlier interview, club president Buzzy Budlong, who is leading the expedition, said they aim to promote Cebu as a potential paddling destination in the Philippines.
Budlong noted that Cebu is naturally a great destination for this water sports, being a narrow island surrounded by coastal municipalities and cities.
The group is using a six-man single outrigger canoe in the expedition. The 13man expedition team is divided into several groups that will take turns on the canoe every day for their fi ve-day journey.
The team is led by distinguished paddlers Budlong and Faye Jimiera. Budlong holds the record as the only Filipino to have paddled 3,025 kilometers -- from Sarangani to Pagudpod in 88 days. Jimiera was skipper of the Spanish Armada Dragon Singapore and now an experienced ocean paddler of the Singapore Paddler Club.
This fi rst outrigger canoe expedition is part of the Department of Tourism’s “Balik Turismo” initiative to promote sustainable tourism.
The event was held in line with the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12.
Earlier, the provincial government here expressed its support to the initiative of the group as long as it complies with the requirements and permits to ensure the safety of the protected areas in the seawaters and the existing tourism activities in the province.
Moalboal’s waters are a protected area and famous diving site because of its cathedral of corals and sardine run. The nearby town of Oslob is famous for its whale sharks.
The initiative is also in line with the government’s push to revive the island’s tourism industry.
Budlong said the adventure would showcase the beauty of Cebu island as a potential paddling destination in the Pacifi c.
Paddling is a way for the local tourism industry to promote sports tourism and support the tourism recovery initiative without marine disruption and environmental impact, he noted.
GENTLE GIANTS. Whale sharks are seen surrounding the six-man team of the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club as it paddles through the seas off the southern town of Oslob in Cebu. The group is on a 200-kilometer, fi ve-day canoeing expedi� on from Cebu City to southwestern town of Moalboal. (Ted Madamba)
